see also: in March 2008:   Summer Months an Added Challenge for Border Patrol   Los Meses de Verano, un Reto Para la Patrulla Fronteriza   Border Patrol Agents Rescue 38 Illegal Aliens from Smuggling Attempt   Laredo North Station Border Patrol Agents Arrest MS-13 Member   Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Arrest 18th Street Gang Member   El Paso CBP Officers View HDTV: Hidden Drugs in TV Set   El Paso Border Patrol Agents Arrest Criminals with Extensive Records ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Washington – The Border Patrol employs many different operations to enhance its effectiveness in securing U.S. boundaries. Enhanced enforcement operations are another item in the Border Patrol’s toolbox that further augments the right mix of resources toward operational control of the border.

Del Rio sector began “Operation Streamline” more than two years ago as an enhanced law enforcement operation aimed at reducing illegal immigration in high-traffic or problematic areas. The Chief Patrol Agent designated “zero tolerance” zones for all illegal entries and directed that all prosecutable aliens, regardless of nationality, apprehended within the geographic boundaries be prosecuted. Since the inception of Operation Streamline, various sectors have adopted similar approaches to augment enforcement efforts.

The Laredo and Yuma sectors both have similar versions of Operation Streamline ongoing entitled “Streamline Laredo” and “Streamline Yuma”. The El Paso sector is currently deploying three operations: Operation No Pass, Operation Lockdown, and Operation Lifeguard. Operation Lifeguard focuses on smugglers who assist aliens across irrigation canals and at the ports of entry.

Many of our sectors across the southern border are constantly evaluating different enforcement actions and strategies in order to continue securing our borders against all threats.

All would-be illegal entrants are reminded that crossing into the United States anywhere between the ports-of-entry violates the statute contained in Title 8 USC 1325. Prosecution and conviction in federal court may result in serving a federal prison sentence of up to 180 days, or possibly more. Once released from prison, violators incur a criminal record and are formally removed from the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.